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21 Aug 1824

My dearest Rich'd

Your letter is received it was directed to me but instantly taken away, on the glimpse of "dear Father" seen by black eyes, peeping over my shoulder! when redeemed it was a treat; so gratifying to a parent is an overflowing of affection from children so deserving of our love - but where you proposed to make me cry you made me laugh aloud - If I do not tell you of all the feelings of self and Co my letter is to have no reply! This I have already done - Affection, and anxiety for your perfect recovery, engrosses our first thoughts and banishes the flying pains of change of weather therefore I have no other feelings to relate - I had your orders to write a nonsense letter, I will obey and these must be my subjects A Horse, a Poem written by a minister's wife - a load of dung - a Bull furious, but not Mad, a nosegay, and a Haunch of Venison - When we reached Bothoms at Norbury I felt quite content to abide there, and we were most graciously received and treated - your father enquired of his Landlord if he knew of a Horse that would suit him, he did not - but soon returned saying he had rode his own Horse 15 years and that he would lend him, and send him immediately to Fosbury. The next favour bestowed was a quantity of dung straw laid before the door to prevent the noise of Carriages disturbing my repose - on my departure Mr George (waiter) put a nosegay in my carriage - The Haunch of Venison, from Cornholt is intended to fund your Royal Brother - and a polite note from the same quarter has greatly fed my vanity after a slight or two - The Poem is the production of Mrs Cannon. The subject S[hrew?] Maria - she begs our Name may be added to a long list of Names sent with her request. If this news does not make you laugh in your turn - you must be grave indeed - all her Caps and Bonnets put aside to write verses! I suppose Cross Connon put down his ratin [sic] (Latin?) to help her with words and full yard long - I now finish with my Bull story which is no subject for a smile, but for great thankfulness, that Scorey's life and services are continued to his loving Master. It was a short time since taking the Bull out of the stall in the Farmyard, The wretch drove him against the wall with great fury and would have killed him in an instant if the Farmer newly come to Bulls farm had not (by chance as is usually said) come into the yard with a large stick, which he applied to his head, and Scorey was set at liberty, but so much hurt that he was under Medhursts hand, four days confined to his bed - This ends my promised subjects - Your box directed here is arrived safe - you have more cause to appreciate damp from a late built house than dust -

Aug 22nd Can I forget a date which gave me so kind a son? May health be added to your present happiness - and may a blessing be extended to a future World a world of peace where no sorrows will interrupt our joyful meeting - What a dread full storm visited London on the day we all travelled! We had hardly any, but you suffered greatly, tho you do not speak of taking cold - your father is to write to dear Charlotte in a few days - I would not agree to give him room - he would say sad nonsense, and perhaps you will say the same - Our weather is now rainy and very damp - your father is just as usual, he took a ride yesterday on his old horse. I am well and very comfortable and think often of you both and am dear Rich & Charlotte Yours